Church of England Diocese of Hereford Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Safeguarding Action Plan

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1 Church of England Diocese of Hereford Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Safeguarding Action Plan Introduction This document should be read in conjunction with the Church of England Diocese of Hereford Safeguarding Strategy This Action Plan takes each Safeguarding Strategic Objective and breaks down every activity required to achieve each objective. It identifies named people responsible for and involved in carrying out each activity. It contains defined timescales over which each activity should be achieved. It also contains an update regarding progress against each required activity. The intention is to use this Action Plan as the key work planning document for the new Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group. An updated version of it will be taken to each meeting of the Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group. It can also be used as a source of reference at a number of other key Diocesan meetings and forums. It will be the responsibility of the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to maintain and update the Action Plan. July 2016 (updated July 2017) Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 1 of 16

2 Church of England Diocese of Hereford Safeguarding Action Plan Strategic Objective 1: Governance and Leadership. The Diocese will develop and maintain an efficient and effective governance structure to support the delivery of safeguarding activity. The governance structure will ensure the following: that there is the correct level of senior leadership and oversight of safeguarding activity; that there is an appropriate level of engagement with independent and statutory bodies and that there are sufficient levels of resource in place to carry out the activity required. 1A Develop a process of gaining external scrutiny of the Diocesan Safeguarding arrangements. (New). This element has been altered in light of experience and feedback from the 2017 Independent Safeguarding Audit into the Diocese s Safeguarding arrangements. A Safeguarding Scrutiny Panel was established and met for the first time in December Not all external statutory agencies invited, took part. The Diocese received feedback from West Mercia Police and the Herefordshire Child and Adult Safeguarding Board Chairs in relation to its Strategy and Action Plan. The Diocese have subsequently been invited to take part in the local Safeguarding Board s Annual Audit and Quality Assurance processes. This will provide an effective means of scrutiny and oversight. The Diocese will aim to replicate the process across all Local Authority areas covered within its geography. The Diocesan Safeguarding Scrutiny Panel will be disbanded. External agencies, charities and other organisations will be approached and invited to attend meetings of the Safeguarding Working Group. Action required By whom Timescale Progress 1. Complete Safeguarding Board s Annual Audit 2. Submit Audit Documents through Safeguarding Board Quality Assurance Process and seek feedback 3. Meet regularly with Safeguarding Board Business Manager. 4. Ensure Every Local Authority covered by geography has sight of Audit submission. with assistance from Admin Support 12 months Audit template received completion being carried out. Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 2 of 16

3 1B Maintain Safeguarding oversight at a Senior Leadership level within the Diocese, Bishop and Bishop s Chaplain 1. Deliver monthly safeguarding briefing to Bishop and Bishop s Chaplain. 2. Ensure Safeguarding Information is discussed where relevant at Bishop s Council and Staff meetings. arrange briefings via Bishop s PA Bishop and Bishop s Chaplain Diocesan Secretary and Communications officer Dates booked up to December 2017 Where relevant 1C Maintain Safeguarding oversight by an Independent chair with appropriate expertise 1. Independent Chair appointed for Safeguarding with Independent Chair Working Group. 2. Regular meetings held between Independent Chair and. 3. Bishop and Independent Bishop s PA to arrange with Bishop Chair to meet regularly and Independent Chair 1D Create a Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group (HDSWG) 1. Maintain Terms of Reference for the Working Group. 2. Decide and agree on Working Group membership. 3. Present this Strategy and Action Plan at meeting of old Safeguarding group on 5 th July 16 and seek feedback for Diocesan Synod meeting on 7 th July with assistance of Admin Support Membership as follows: Independent Chair Diocesan Secretary Bishop s Chaplain Senior Representative from the Cathedral Precentor /lay Canon Suffragan Bishop and Archdeacon Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser DDVO Rep from Ministry Training and Development Meetings took place in 2016 and meetings planned in 2017 Next meeting scheduled for 5 th September 2017 SWG has been established and meeting since October 2016 Next meetings scheduled for: 3 rd October th December th March th June 2018 Already happening Already happening Standing item on the Bishop s Staff meeting for Safeguarding Ongoing - Independent supervision needs reviewing A new supervisor is being sought. (ISA Finding) Meetings arranged Action Plan Updated each meeting The group has wide and expansive membership and meetings are well attended. Suggested increase in Parish representatives on group. Seek membership from external agencies and charities (ISA finding) Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 3 of 16

4 16. Set dates for working group and book room. 4. Send out invites and secure attendance. 5. Ensure paperwork is circulated to membership in advance of meetings. 6. Ensure agreed actions circulated following every meeting. 7. Progress to be reported up to Diocesan Synod, Bishop s Council and Bishop s staff. 8. New seek membership / representation from Statutory Agencies and / or charities. Rep from Healing and Deliverance Group Diocesan Director of Communications DBS Rep from Cathedral Clergy Rep from each Archdeaconry Lay Rep from each Archdeaconry Children and Families Support Officer and/or their Assistant Wider membership sought from externa Statutory Agencies and Charities. 1E Ensure that there is adequate resource in place to achieve Safeguarding activity 1. Ensure that there is a in post. Keep under review contracted hours. 2. Ensure that there is Admin Support in place. Review hours allotted. 3. Ensure that there is an adequate Budget to support activity. 4. Ensure Budget and Resource monitoring and review takes place at the HDSWG. HDBF in consultation with Bishop and Diocesan Synod Diocesan Secretary Yearly Budget setting process. Currently underway Review of staffing done. No specific additional support available for safeguarding but acknowledged it is an area that is under resourced and if resources become available they can be redirected. A suggestion regarding a flexible approach to a small increase in resource has been included in 2018 Budget Proposal. Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 4 of 16

5 5. Review Admin support to ISA finding Proposal for increase in DBS process. resourcing. Strategic Objective 2: Policy and Practice Guidance. Ensure that all National Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance are formally adopted and implemented within the Diocese. The National Safeguarding Team are responsible for the formulation of National Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. All policy and practice guidance are produced after extensive consultation both from within the Church and with external statutory agencies and other appropriate bodies and experts in the field. All policy and practice guidance are set within a revolving timetable of review by the National Team, this is to ensure that they are fully up to date and current according to legislation and developments outside the church. The Diocese needs to ensure it adopts, implements and carries out all of its safeguarding activities in accordance with the National Policy and Practice Guidance. The Diocese should also ensure it uses the most up to date version of policy and practice guidance and should ensure it actively engages with consultation exercises 2A - 2L. 1. Implement all National Policy and Practice Guidance. 2. Ensure there is open access to all National Policy and Practice Guidance including its availability on the Diocesan Website and hardcopy format. 3. Produce and publish explanatory information to assist with understanding national Policy and practice guidance. to work to and promote policy All members of staff and church officers throughout the Diocese. The Diocese already works to National Policy and Practice Guidance consideration needs to be given to formally taking each Policy and piece of Practice Guidance to Diocesan Synod for their formal approval. Over next 12 months. Adopted at Diocese level Progress underway regarding parish level understanding. Estimated that about half of the PCC s have some form of policy and a basic level of awareness. To request confirmation at APCM s. National Parish Safeguarding handbook being produced New Webpage now includes links to all National Policy (web hits check) Training for sub-wardens of Readers Positive feedback following training Strategic Objective 3: Training: Provide Safeguarding Learning and Development at all levels of the organisation adhering strictly to the National Learning and Development Practice Guidance and using the national produced Training Modules. This new practice guidance gives detail about the training that should be delivered in a Diocese. It outlines various types of training and how it applies to various roles within the church both in relation to licensed and lay people as well as paid workers and volunteers. It provides a flexible approach with the facility to combine modules. The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser will be responsible for the organisation and delivery of all Safeguarding training in the Diocese. 3A Deliver Awareness / Foundation training for lay people C1 3B Deliver Leadership training for lay people C2 Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 5 of 16

6 3C Deliver Foundation and Leadership for licensed ordained people C3 3E Deliver advanced /specialist training to licensed clergy and relevant lay people S Modules 1. Set dates for training. with Admin Support 2. Book venues throughout the Diocese. 3. Arrange refreshments. 4. Advertise training. 5. Receive and manage bookings. 6. Prepare training support materials. 7. Keep accurate records of those attending. 8. to attend update training briefings by National Safeguarding Team. Bishop s PA regarding Clergy Admin Support regarding communication out to Parishes Link in with Theological College Link in with Ministry of Learning and Development people trained people trained Dates planned up to early December 3D Ensure that the relevant Diocesan Senior Staff attend and engage in Safeguarding Senior Leadership Training 1. Ensure all Bishop s senior staff have attended this training. 2. Carry out a follow up sessions with each person regarding their continued understanding. 3. Ensure we receive a refresh of this training in Individual meetings with each member of Bishop s Senior Staff Senior staff from Hereford attended this training on 8 th October 2015 in Worcester. There is a need to follow up on the learning received on that day. Please note there are 151 clergy, 197 people who hold PTO, 85 Readers all who will require C3 Module in next 3 years. There are 278 parish safeguarding reps who will require C1 and C2. In addition, to this there are Church Wardens and Youth leaders and Bishop s staff. Overview report training produced. Some specialist training cancelled in January. Training Ongoing Training Event took place on 4 th November attendees. Follow up date in October 2017 for further training by NST Strategic Objective 4: Communications and Access to Safeguarding information for all. It is vitally important that the Diocese ensures that anyone involved with the Church, no matter what that involvement is, has access to up to date accurate information regarding safeguarding within the Church, including details about who to contact if there is a safeguarding concern. 4A Website Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 6 of 16

7 1. Create and maintain an easy accessible Safeguarding web page as part of the Diocesan Website. 2. Ensure all National Policy and Practice Guidance is explained and is accessible. 3. Ensure other relevant information is displayed. 4. Advertise forthcoming training sessions and the means by which to book on. 5. Ensure other information and forms are accessible. 6. Ensure a copy of the latest newsletter is accessible. 7. Ensure the web page is kept fully up to date at all times. 4B Newsletter 1. Formulate an informative Safeguarding newsletter. 2. Provide access to the newsletter on the diocesan web page. 3. Communicate the newsletter out to all Admin Support in consultation with Assistance from the Diocesan Director of Communications with assistance from Admin Support Assistance from the Diocesan Director of Communications Parishes. 4C Communications, Media and News 1. Ensure that the Diocesan Communications and Press in consultation with Diocesan Adviser is briefed on any Director of Communications safeguarding issues that are 12 months ongoing New Webpage designed with information and links on. Went live on 29 th October 2016 updated on 5 th January 2017 more information needed re DV Bell-ringing other emerging trends re Safeguarding Regular Newsletter Monthly Safeguarding Update produced and given out at parish Events Ongoing Pages updated once per month. Foremost means to communicate. Newsletter not produced due to current communication direction being more about using existing channels of communications (mass mailing, s to PCC secretaries, website, and replacement for Reflections). Update published in July More detailed update being given out during training content similar to webpage content. New Director now in place. Case work discussion on a regular basis Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 7 of 16

8 likely to gain media / press attention. 2. Diocesan Communications and Press adviser to attend Diocesan Safeguarding working group and any other relevant meeting. 4D General Safeguarding Information and Presentations 1. Attend and deliver As and when a request is received Ongoing safeguarding presentations to a variety of audiences. and or an identified need. Promotional material needed for Events Strategic Objective 5: Safer Recruitment. It is vitally important that the diocese adheres fully to the principles of safer recruitment when engaging the services of people to work or volunteer within the church. 5A Safer Recruitment to include a DBS System 1. Maintain the DBS checking system currently administered by the Cathedral. 2. Check that this system works correctly and is adequately resourced. 3. Ensure that there is a robust process in place to identify renewals. 4. Ensure that there is a robust process in place when DBS return a disclosure or blemish. 5. Explore sustainable DBS system options such as Cathedral DBS Administrator Diocesan Administrative Support Bishop s PA and Bishop s Secretary Clergy PCCs The DBS administration system is running effectively. We need to look to the future and sustainability especially in light of many people and organisations now moving to an online system. Ongoing DBS Administrator moved to Diocesan Premises. New Safer Recruitment Policy and Training. Future plan to move to an online system. Issue is about timing, cost and parish checking requirements. Probable pilot, before roll out. Recent increase in DBS checks demonstrates impact of training. Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 8 of 16

9 online checking and renewal. 6. Promote the need for DBS checking across the Parishes and other organisations such as Bell ringers. 7. Implement DBS audit of compliance across the Parishes. 8. to carry out Type A Risk assessments in relation to all DBS Blemishes and disclosures making decisions regarding suitability. Audit of Parish compliance needed before Safeguarding inspection in This will be factored into discussions regarding admin support. ISA finding need to move to online system Small lottery rules in S. Shropshire insisting on DBS checks. Guidance required. Strategic Objective 6: Casework and working with those who pose risk in worship. The Diocese needs to maintain an effective and efficient mechanism to manage safeguarding casework to include working with offenders and people who pose a risk. 6A Casework 1. Carry out all casework in a timely and efficient manner making referrals when appropriate to do so. 2. Maintain accurate and up to date records complying with Data Protection and National Practice Guidance. 3. Deliver monthly briefings to Bishop and his Chaplain. 4. Partake in regular casework supervision meetings with a suitably qualified individual. 5. Conduct a full file review. Bishop Bishop s Chaplain Independent Chair Currently ongoing Ongoing. Closed SG case review completed Current cases being progressed, All risks managed. Request for case work statistics to come to working group Significant current case. Being worked on. Standalone Risk Assessments Ensure Core Groups are held. Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 9 of 16

10 6B Working with offenders and others who pose risk, in worship 1. Maintain accurate list of offenders or people who pose risk who are involved with Church work in the Bishop and Bishop s Chaplain (when Diocese. it involves a member of the clergy) 2. Ensure there is an appropriate up to date risk assessment, risk Clergy management plan and or Police, Probation, Herefordshire agreement to worship in Child Safeguarding Board, Social place in regard of each Services individual. 3. Work with Parishes and clergy regarding the monitoring of the operation of such agreements. 4. Work with Statutory Agencies in regard of these individuals. 5. Conduct full file review. 6C Dealing effectively with an allegation affecting a church officer 1. All Bishop s senior staff to be fully aware of how to deal with an incident involving a Church Officer. Bishop s Senior Staff 2. to meet with each member of senior staff and check out understanding. 3. to take the lead if and when an incident occurs. Completed September months Ongoing All ATWS have had a full review prior to ISA in May which included consultation with Statutory agencies and a face to face meeting with subject. Next step more detailed improved Risk Assessments as part of 2018 reviews. 121 s booked with: Bishop Alistair; Archdeacon; Dean; Precentor - 121s carried out Training carried out on 4 th November 2016 and training booked for 2 nd October 2017 ISA findings ensure Core Groups are held when required. Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 10 of 16

11 6D Whistleblowing and or Complaints Process 1. Design and advertise a whistleblowing / complaints process. and Diocesan Secretary 12 months Basic complaints and whistleblowing policies are contained in the staff handbook and accessible via the webpage needs more publicity Strategic Objective 7: Engaging with Survivors. The Diocese needs to develop and maintain a means by which it effectively engages with survivors of abuse. This is to enable survivors to have a voice and a way of shaping and influencing things. There is also a need to provide access for survivors to listening and healing. 1. Develop an effective engagement mechanism for Survivors of Abuse. 2. Research what other Dioceses are doing in regard of Survivors. 3. Assess Safer Spaces Projects. 4. Seek expert advice and Guidance. 5. Formulate a proposal for our Diocese. Listening / Healing Group Diocesan Counsellors Bishop s Chaplain Over next 12 months Not yet begun. Some engagement at national level on national research. We have access to a Team of Diocesan Counsellors and external specialist agencies. Strategic Objective 8: Quality Assurance and Audit. There needs to be an effective mechanism to ensure that every required safeguarding activity is delivered thoroughly and to the highest of standards throughout the whole of the Diocese at every level of the church. 8A National Safeguarding Independent Auditing of Diocesan Safeguarding Arrangements for the Church of England 1. Date set for our Audit 2 nd - Receive Audit Report 4 th May 2017., Independent Chair, Bishop, Audit 2 nd 4 th May Set up Working Group to Bishop s Chaplain, Diocesan Publish report support and monitor Secretary, members of Diocesan Working Group Sept 2016 activity leading up to Audit. Safeguarding Working Group Respond to findings Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 11 of 16

12 3. Produce checklist of required activity to prepare for Audit. 4. Book rooms and facilities to support the Audit. 8B National Safeguarding Yearly Self-Assessment 1. Collect information for completion of yearly online self-assessment survey. 2. Consult Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group regarding contents of return. 3. Complete and return the self assessment ensuring deadline is met March every year. 4. Respond to any Feedback received. 8C Diocesan and Parish Audit 1. Design an efficient and simplistic Parish Audit process. 2. Complete a full Parish Audit. 3. Analyse results. 4. Make recommendations for actions based on results of Audit report to Diocesan Working Group. Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group Admin Support Parish and PCCS Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group. 8D Blue Clergy File and Safeguarding File Review 1. Ensure all Blue Clergy files are managed and Engage in National Review meeting in 18 months. Cathedral Audit in next 18months Yearly in March Completed for 2016 Bi Annually Consider including in Visitations Completed for 2017 Audit completed in 2015 Suggest next audit is carried out in Bishop Bishop s Chaplain Ongoing File review on track Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 12 of 16

13 maintained according to the House of Bishop s Guidance and Data Protection. 2. Ensure every Blue Clergy file entering or leaving the Diocese has a full in depth safeguarding review and is certified to this effect. 3. Ensure there is a regular review of all static Blue Clergy files dip sample blue files for safeguarding Review. 4. Ensure all episcopal references received are scrutinised for any reference regarding any safeguarding issues if there are ensure these are looked into by. 5. Ensure all Safeguarding Files are managed and maintained according to National Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. 6. Assess what other personnel files need reviewing and ensure a process is in place. Bishop s PA and Secretary Readers Files John Daniels Ordinands Files Neil Patterson 6 Months Ordinands completed in August2016 Readers completed in August2016 Active Clergy next followed by Clergy with PTO and then non active Clergy / deceased. On track - to be complete by Dec 2017 Historical review was adequate in Hereford Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 13 of 16

14 8E Management Information 1. Create a list of all the information retained electronically for management information purposes. Ensure all adhere to the requirements of the Data Protection Act. 2. Ensure information is accurate and up to date and easily accessible to those who need to it. 3. Develop and maintain a Safeguarding Case Management system consider an online format. 4. Regularly Review what Information is kept and the need for it. 8F Information Sharing Agreements 1. Develop an overarching Safeguarding Information Sharing agreement with all key Statutory Partners. Diocesan Secretary Bishop s PA Bishop s Secretary 8G Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse IICSA 2. Receive and respond to all requests from the National Safeguarding Team in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse IICSA. Over next 12 months This is being progressed New data protection policy in place Over next 12 months No progress. Appropriate information is shared within legal framework. In consultation with the Bishop and Bishop s Chaplain, Independent Chair Requests will be coming through from the National Team for at least the next months 2 requests so far. To date, we have received 2 requests for information 2 requests submitted. Four more submissions due in 2017 Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 14 of 16

15 Strategic Objective 9: Work in Partnership with Statutory Agencies and other Organisations and Charities to assist in tackling ALL emerging safeguarding issues to include: Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Modern Day Slavery, Human Trafficking, Domestic Abuse including Honour Based Violence and Female Genital Mutilation. (FGM). (Other new safeguarding issues may emerge and these will be included.) 1. Be a place of refuge or assistance for anyone seeking help regarding any safeguarding issue. 2. Raise awareness with those connected to the church of these issues. 3. Champion and promote Partnership activity to combat these issues. 4. Take part and contribute to multi agency media campaigns in relation to these issues 5. Relay information and make referrals when appropriate. Parishes Diocesan Director of Communications Children and Families Support Officer and/or their Assistant Over next 12 months currently sits on the Herefordshire Safeguarding Board Communications Sub Group where all media campaigns are co- ordinated. Action to discuss with communications director to link with external groups. Notes This Safeguarding Action Plan (with the exception of Strategic Objective 9) was formally presented to Diocesan Synod on Thursday 7 th July Synod voted extensively to formally adopt the Strategy but made a request for the inclusion of a further Strategic Objective to include the Church playing an active role in tackling issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation. Strategic Objective 9 has subsequently been added and includes the Church taking an active role in tackling ALL emerging safeguarding Issues. This Action Plan will now be the key working document driving activity in relation to Safeguarding in the Diocese. It will be updated on a bi-monthly basis by the. It will be referred to by the Diocesan Safeguarding Working Group each time it meets as a measure of progress. Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 15 of 16

16 This Action Plan will also be referred back to Diocesan Synod together with the Safeguarding Strategy on a yearly basis. This Action Plan has been scrutinised by the Diocesan Safeguarding Scrutiny Panel when it met at 12 noon on Tuesday 6 th December 2016 and updated on 14 March 2017 during the Safeguarding Working group Meeting. This Action Plan was presented to Diocesan Synod when it met on 13 th July Church of England Diocese of Hereford - Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan Page 16 of 16